The Dodd and Wether Cairn from Alwinton

The hills in the southern part of the Northumberland National Park offer some fine walking. This route starts from the small village of Alwinton and follows paths, tracks and quiet country lanes for the most part. However some sections are pathless and a good sense of direction is necessary. The walk is best avoided if low cloud is covering the hills. Also do be prepared for some boggy areas especially after rain.

Description

(D/A) The start is the small carpark in the village of Alwinton (grid ref. NT919063) where charges apply. Exit the car park and turn left into the village passing the Rose and Thistle pub on your right. Continue straight ahead at the T-junction crossing grass to locate a footbridge over the Hosedon Burn. Once over the bridge turn left along Clennell Street. Continue along this old track for about half a mile to reach a ladder stile on your right. Cross this and follow the path downhill to a footbridge over the River Alwin (grid ref. NT928070). Once across the bridge, turn left and follow the clear track upstream. Cross the river twice. About 200 metres past the second bridge, bear right up a track heading up the south ridge of the Dodd.

(1) After reaching the summit continue along the track as it turns east to reach two gates (grid ref. NT928098). Go through the gate on the left and continue ahead on a less obvious track across Puncherton Hill. Reaching another gate (grid ref. NT932100) continue straight ahead to join a much clearer track that leads you another gate (grid ref. NT939104). At this point I resorted to making a beeline for Wether Cairn soon picking up a fence coming in from the left to reach a fence junction (grid ref. NT941115). Turn left and follow the path to the trig point and stone shelter on Wether Cairn summit and enjoy the views.

(2) To continue retrace your route to the fence junction and cross the stile and with the fence on your immediate left, follow the fence initially south-east and then south. There is no path although with care you can make good progress across rough ground to reach a sheep fold (grid ref. NT944101). Turn right here on an often indistinct path heading south-west. Go through the stile or adjacent gate and continue following a track south-west towards Puncherton. The OS map shows a bridleway across the fields immediately east of the farm. However, reaching the edge of the cultivated fields (grid ref. NT938097) I picked up a track that continues around the cultivated area and turned south to pass the farm on the left and re-join the bridleway (grid ref. NT934094).

(3) The next objective is Old Rookland Farm. Leaving Puncherton Farm in a southerly direction the route ascends gently with intermittent paths for most of the way despite a bridleway being marked on OS maps. With a little bit of trial and error I passed through a gate at grid ref. NT935088 to reach Old Rookland Farm. Continue straight ahead (farm on your left) and descend to a gate (grid ref. NT.936087). Head across the next field curving to the right to reach the valley bottom. Cross over the stream (Rookland Sike) and head for a gate and adjacent stile. Then follow the path uphill to the saddle between Silverton and Clennell Hills. Continue downhill to the gap in the forestry at grid ref. NT931078 and continue straight ahead to locate a gate in the right-hand field boundary (grid ref. NT931076). Bear half right across this field towards a small plantation in the bottom right-hand corner of the field.

Go through the gate and follow the clear track down to the main valley track used as part of the outward route. Turn left and follow the track alongside the River Alwin as it flows downstream. You pass Clennell Hall on your left and soon join a tarmac lane. This leads back to the Alwinton (D/A).

Useful Information

This walk explores the hills that lie just inside the southern boundary of the Northumberland National Park at the head of Coquetdale. The route paths and tracks with some rough walking across pathless terrain. The route does require the walker to have a good sense of direction and the relevant OS 1:25000 Explorer map to hand. Good visibility is also useful for route finding and provides some wonderful views across the National Park and surrounding countryside.

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

I found this s difficult walk to do, unfortunately the weather was changeable and wet, the views were amazing, ground unlevel and boggy, I am not an experienced walker so a little out of my depth on this one

Other walks in the area

Alwinton and the River Alwin route is a favourite route with walkers, starting in Alwinton, that used to be one of many trackways in the border hills frequented in times past by cattle drovers, shepherds, pedlars and whiskey smugglers.

An easy circular walk from Alwinton; taking in the ruins of the castle at Harbottle and then up to the Drake Stone in the Harbottle Hills. Descend to Harbottle Lake and return via the forest path. Great views on a clear day.

The Shepherds Cairn is a memorial to two shepherds who lost their lives in the winter of 1962. They were found just half a mile from their remote home at Ewartly Shank. Because of this event the National Park Voluntary Rangers set up the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team - a volunteer organisation that turns out in all weather to help save lives.

Enjoy a circular walk suitable for most abilities, with fantastic views over Elsdon on the return leg. Enjoy a cuppa or a pint after building up a thirst and seeing the sights of this scenic Northumberland village. For the adventurous amongst you, why not pair this walk with our Elsdon Burn Walk.

A nice family walk following the Elsdon Burn, before heading over Gallow Hill. Take time to enjoy the views over Elsdon – the historic capital of Redesdale. Enjoy a cuppa or a pint after building up a thirst from seeing the sights of this pretty little place.